An Intro To Heron Haven

I like getting email from readers, especially when they clue me in to something I’d never heard of.

In March, Jeremy had written that he’d come across my blog post about Indian Cave State Park and he had a closer recommendation for me to check out:

“…just wanted to share with you a nice little place that I take my daughter to quite often when we need a nature break. Heron Haven. It’s inside the Omaha city limits and is quite a nice little place. They have a small nature garden with native plants as well as a wetlands area as well as an Education Center. If you haven’t visited, it is a very under appreciated part of Omaha near Maple and 120th, kind of across Maple from Mulhall’s. You can see it on north side of the road as your drive on Maple, but it is easily overlooked. Link below to their website and facebook page.

Heron Haven

Heron Haven Facebook

May be a little spare right now, though we did notice birds are starting to return for the Spring. Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does.”

Well, Jeremy, we finally got to visit and I have to say that in May, this little place is a wonderful city escape!

Intro to Heron Haven - A boardwalk at Heron Haven, a small wildlife refuge in the heart of Omaha — Our first trip down the boardwalk at Heron Haven.

We could’ve picked a worse day to go, but the threat of rain at least meant no one else was there during our visit. We were greeted by a kind woman I’m going to presume is a volunteer. She pointed out the areas of interest and explained the pond in view was in the process of becoming a dragonfly pond.

We also found out that the education center is only open occasionally. Your best bet to catch it open are the events shared at the end of this post.

An Intro To Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary

What is it?

Intro to Heron Haven - A path at Heron Haven, a small wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Omaha — Heron Haven is an urban sanctuary, literally. It lies next to one of Omaha’s busiest streets, yet you wouldn’t know it walking the trails (unless you listen hard enough).

It’s called an urban sanctuary and that’s pretty accurate. You’ll hear a steady hum from Maple Street traffic, but you start to tune it out the longer you walk around.

Heron Haven is one of the last riparian oxbow wetlands of the Big Papillion Creek within Omaha’s city limits (got that off the brochure). That pretty much means it’s a curving wetland next to streams and lakes.

Intro to Heron Haven - A lake at Heron Haven, a small wildlife refuge in the heart of Omaha — It’ll take a family with small children about 20 minutes, give or take, to walk to this lake.

It’s probably the best kept secret in Omaha.

And it’s FREE.

I think you can enjoy Heron Haven no matter what the weather is.

What’s at Heron Haven?

Your first stop from the parking lot will either be the butterfly garden or the native grass plot.

We were with kids, so obviously, they chose butterflies.

Intro to Heron Haven - A butterfly garden at Heron Haven, a small wildlife refuge in the heart of Omaha — The entrance to the butterfly garden at Heron Haven.

It smelled lovely, as could be expected.

Flowers in the butterfly garden at Heron Haven in Omaha — Flowers were in bloom at the butterfly garden in May.

In late May, the spring flowers were in full bloom.

Things to do at Heron Haven - Visit the butterfly garden — The kids spot a bird at the butterfly garden. Alas, no butterflies.

But with the weather, no butterflies were spotted.

There are two out-and-back trails. The Upland Trail will take you to a photo blind at a marsh.

Intro to Heron Haven - A duck blind is a great way to watch wildlife undetected — Mooch takes a peek through a duck blind.

You’ll actually find two blinds on that path, but the one you’re heading for is an enclosure with benches.

Intro to Heron Haven - Watch wildlife from the enclosed photographer's blind at the end of a trail at Heron Haven. — An enclosed photographer’s blind at the end of a trail at Heron Haven.

We spotted two geese there. The wildlife spotted along the way, though, was way more exciting for the kids.

Toads at Heron Haven — We didn’t have much luck spotting birds at Heron Haven, but toads? Toads we could find.

They found toads in one of the ponds, and tons of snails on our path.

Things to do at Heron Haven - Look for snails — Mooch’s favorite discovery were all the snails at Heron Haven.

Things to do at Heron Haven - Look for worms. — Mooch’s second favorite find at Heron Haven: Worms.

The Upland Trail isn’t too strenuous but if it’s been rainy, expect mud. This trail, by the way is not stroller- or wheelchair-friendly.

Things to do at Heron Haven - Walk a short, kid-friendly trail — Limestone paths turn into dirt paths that turn quite muddy in the spring.

The other trail takes you to the boardwalk.

It’s a quick one, just a quarter-mile, but it does lead to the boardwalk that extends over the wetlands.

It is an accessible trail if you’ve got a stroller or wheelchair.

Things to do at Heron Haven - Walk the boardwalk — Who knew Omaha had a board walk like this out over the water?

Rather than just leaving you to your own devices, there are several signs throughout the wetland area, telling you what trees you’re seeing, or explaining how to behave around wildlife with new chicks, etc.